wrestling / Columns

Ultima Lucha: When the Best Time in Wrestling Gets Even Better

August 1, 2015 | Posted by Dino Zee

An ode to the Ultima Lucha, for it has absolutely earned it.

At this point, Lucha Underground is no longer a well kept secret. It’s not something fans whisper about, and it’s not something that’s hidden. Those of us who fell in love with the show have gone out of our way to scream to the mountaintops about how amazing the program is, and we leave it up to the rest to decide if they want to check it out.

Rare is the fan who, after one or two shows, decides “this isn’t for me.” It happens, sure, but from my personal experience, it’s not a common occurrence.

This is the program that threw three undercard wrestlers together, and in one incredible episode, made them Trios Champions, and the ultimate underdogs. Suddenly, Son of Havoc, Ivelisse, and Angélico were three people who, despite their personal differences, were going to make it work, and fight their hearts off to defend their belts, even with one of them hampered with a broken ankle. I still consider The Rise of Team Havoc to be the single best episode of Lucha Underground that happened all season, and I say that knowing that there were plenty of great episodes to enjoy. And it’s all wrapped up nicely by one quick video.

Lucha Underground gave us the Fight All Night with Prince Puma and Johnny Mundo, and knocked it out of the park. Hell, Lucha Underground is so good, that they very blatantly broke one of my “If this happens, I’m quitting watching wrestling” rules when they faked a death, and I still came back for more, because this show? This wonderfully ridiculous wrestling program? This show is totally worth it.

So, it was with a bit of sadness that I turned on Part 1 of Ultima Lucha last night, knowing that Team Havoc was in all likelihood going to lose. Not due to spoilers, but simply because I figured the season ending with Mil Muertes and the Disciples of Death holding the belts made the most sense. Even knowing that my favorite babyfaces were probably heading to the end of their reign, I tried to still enjoy the rest of the show because really, to this point, Lucha Underground has not given me one reason to be hesitant to watch.

And, wouldn’t you know it, the card delivered?

First off, Cage and The Mack went at it in a match that was made after a brawl all over the arena the episode prior. Usually, hotshotting a match like that isn’t the best idea, but these two went out and absolutely beat the crap out of each other. Brutal is a pedestrian way to describe it, and we saw the finish come with Cage delivering a curb stomp… through a cinder bock. This was after we saw the Mack earlier in the match open up two beers, drink, hit a boot to the gut, and a Stunner. Clearly, Lucha Underground loves its callouts to the other guys.

Sadly, the good times couldn’t last, and it was time for Team Havoc to defend their titles. With Ivelisse still hobbled, and the Disciples of Death powered by the Mystical Lava Rock of Eternal Damnation, things weren’t looking good.

And things weren’t good, at least not at the beginning. A strong start by the Disciples put them on the offensive, often times going 2 on 3 against Angélico and Havoc while Ivelisse was out on the floor. Soon, the tides would turn, and there would be some crazy, crazy offense from the champions.

I’ve said it before, but it bears repeating: I hated Angélico upon his debut. I thought he looked stupid, sounded stupid, and he beat Son of Havoc, instantly angering me. I hated the mini-feud he had with Ivelisse and Havoc, and I felt he was nothing more than a flashy jobber.

To say “I was wrong” isn’t enough. Angélico is fucking dope. He’s insane. He just doesn’t care, and he’s willing to lay it all on the line to get the win. Frankly, I love Angélico, and every time I see him take to the air, I hear Matt Stryker’s That was doooo-ooo-ooo-ooope!!! call. I was all in with Son of Havoc from episode one; he had no work to do to earn my fandom. But Angélico earned my like with his amazing moves, and fun matches. And he easily has 3 of the top moments of the season, and they’re all via absolutely incredible dives that no one in their right mind should be trying. I just wanted to give credit where it’s due, because Team Havoc was not just Son of Havoc carrying along an injured woman and a sucky wrestler. All three worked hard, and all three got themselves over.

Alas, all the praise in the world wasn’t going to stop what I had seen coming, and before I really had a moment to drink it all in, we had new champs, while Catrina slithered over an unconscious Ivelisse. The champs had fought hard, and while they had overcome incredible odds before, it wasn’t meant to be. Team Havoc’s reign was over.

I could really gush about Team Havoc all day, and in fact, I already did that in a previous column. It’s just crazy, months later, how excited I get when I think of the night they won the Trios Titles. I had picked them to win the belts when the tournament was first announced, but I thought I was just being funny. As they slowly advanced to the finals, though, I became fully invested, and getting that ultimate victory payoff will stay with me for a long, long time. Because Lucha Underground excels at taking the smark out of it all, and making you feel like a kid again. And really, that’s why I love it.

But it was time to move on, and that brought us to the final match, the Believers Backlash Match between Drago and Hernandez.

Following the pure viciousness of the opener, or trying to have the same emotions as the Trios Title match was going to prove difficult, but Drago and Hernandez still went out there and had a perfectly entertaining match. Even better was that the stipulations were actually honored! Fans had straps! Sure, they were probably indy wrestlers, but there were a few in there who at least looked like legit fans, and that’s good enough for me.

After a fun affair that saw Hernandez get what he’s had coming since first appearing in Lucha Underground’s Temple, Drago picked up the victory, bringing an end to Night 1 of Ultima Lucha. And woulnd’t you know it, it was an incredibly fun time, like nearly everything involved with Lucha Underground. I really don’t know if this company is capable of a misstep, at least as far as something I personally don’t like. They break all of the rules, and it’s still always fun.

I am absolutely looking forward to next week’s two hour finale, because I can’t wait to see MI AMIGO, Pentagon Jr, unleash his special brand of fury on Vampiro. The way he patronized him when they last shared a ring: “Tu nombre es… ¿qué?” and “IIIIIIAAAAN?” still cracks me up. Never a Vampiro fan in my younger days, I simply can’t wait to see what kind of ridiculous brutality awaits us in the Cero Miedo match. I also look forward to Alberto El Patrón and Johnny Mundo tangling, the Battle for Mexico between Texano and Blue Demon Jr, and, of course, the World Championship match between Prince Puma and Mil Muertes, even if I do have Muertes winning it all.

Looking back, it’s been a spectacular debut for Lucha Underground, and I can only hope that they’ll get that second season, and keep the good times rolling. Because really, the only thing sadder than Ultima Lucha meaning the end of the season, would be if Ultima Lucha literally meant the last card.

As a fan, just a huge round of applause and a sincere GRACIAS A TODOS that have been involved in bringing Lucha Underground to us. From the behind the scene peeps to the guys in the ring, from top to bottom, it’s my favorite hour of wrestling each week.


PUT SLICK IN THE HALL OF FAME!!


It’s All Wrestling. It’s All Silly. We All Love It

Shortly before turning this column in, news arrived that we lost an absolute legend, as “Rowdy” Roddy Piper passed away at 61. To say what he meant to me would be too hard, and take too much time. Instead, I’ll share one of my personal all time favorite moments: his calling of the Ted DiBiase/Virgil match at SummerSlam 1991. This was perfection, with Piper making me care about Virgil as if he was my own family. You were always The Mouth That Roared, and your loss is already felt deep inside all of us

Rest In Peace, Hot Rod

article topics :

Lucha Underground, Dino Zee